Watercraft



Dec. 19, 19.44. F. D. BARTON, JR

WATERCRAFT Filed Aug. 30. 1943 Jia Cttorneg Patented Dec. 19, 1944 UNITED STATES'PATENT OFFICE WATERCRAFT Frederic D'. Barton, Jr., Oakland, Calif.

Application August 30, 1943, Serial No. 500,725 s claims. (el.` 9 2) My invention relates to watercraft, particularly of the portable type adapted for individual use and for emergency and rescue work.

Among the objects of my invention are:

(1) To provide a novel and improved portable watercraft capable of being easily launched;

(2) To pro-vide a novel and improved watercraft of great stability in service;

(3) To provide a novel and improved watercraft capable of being collapsed into a compact unit when not in service and havingthe ability to unfold itself when launched in a haphazard manner;

(4) To provide a novel and improved watercraft capa-ble of being launched from aircraft;

(5) To provide a novel and improved Watercraft so constructed as to be separable into two independent craft when desired;

(6) To provide a novel and improved watercraft capable of being launched by parachute;

(7) To provide a novel and improved Watercraft Which lends itself admirably to the rescue of survivors at sea.

Additional objects of my invention will be brought out in the following description of a preferred embodiment of the same, taken in conjunction with accompanying drawing wherein:

Figure 1 is a view in perspective of my novel and improved watercraft in its collapsed condition and ready for launching;

Figure 2 is a plan view of my invention in unfolded condition as when in use;

Figure 3 is a View in perspective of my invention in the act of unfolding itself following a launching.

Referring to the drawing for a description of my invention in one of its preferred forms, it comprises a pair of preferably similar hollow receptacle portions 5 and 'I each having side edges 9 and I I and end edges I3 and I5. These receptacle portions are disposed with a side edge II of one portion 5 adjacent a side edge 9 of the other portion 'I and connected together along such adjacent side edges by hinge means I l, preferably of the type known as the piano hinge, although not necessarilyv limited to this particular type. This hinge permits the receptacle portions 5 and l to be folded into mating engagement with each other along their edges 9, II, I3 and I5.to form a compact unit which may be readily stored for launching purposes when not in use, and is maintained in such compact form by vmeans of a binding strap I9 about the unit which is preferably of two sections held in place bysuitable latches 2| of a type such as the minates in a triangular section 25 to provide anpelican latch, which can be quickly and conveniently unlatched in an emergency.

Each receptacle portion 5 and 'I is preferably of semi-cylindrical form so that when collapsed into mating engagement, the resulting unit will be substantially cylindrical in form.

Each of the receptacle portions is provided with a slightly unequal distribution of Weight such that there will be a slightI predominance of weight to one side of its longitudinal4 axis in the direction of the hinge II. Such weight distribution may be embodied in the design of the craft, or may be effected by a proper distribution of load to be stowed in such craft preliminary to its launching.

The craft is preferably built of material such as plastic or plastic impregnated wood or other sheet material capable of withstanding the shock of impact, thereby enabling the craft to be read ily launched by throwing the same overboard from the deck of a ship. Upon being unlatched Vafter striking the water, the craft-will, due to the predominance of weight adjacent the hinge, automatically unfold itself right-side-up in position for use. The cylindrical shape of the craft in its collapsed condition is an asset in this connection, in enabling the unit to right itself quickly under the action of the weight concentration toward the hinge.

During the preliminary stage of the unfolding process, the weighted portion, including the hinge I'I, will be below the water level thereby exposing the craft to the entrance of water particularly at the apex of the angle formed by the opening end edges I3 and I5.

An important feature of my. invention resides in the provision of means in the form of a water barrier for precluding an inrush of water into the cra-ft during this early stage of its open ing process.

This Water barrier in its preferred form may constitute a strip 23 of canvas or similar material covering the hinge I'I and tacked or otherwise amxed to the adjacent side edges S and II of the receptacle portions. At each end, the strip tergularly disposed edges 2l which are tacked or otherwise ailixed to the free edges `of the gussets 29 inserted in the corners of each receptacle por' tion 5 and 'l adjacent the hinge I'I. The base line 3I of each triangular end section 25 of the water barrier is left unattached to anything and is of such length that rduring the early stage of the unfolding process, it spans the angle formed at its associated end of the craft by the end edges I3 and food supplies in addition to useful accessories such as ares, fishing tackle, radio, etc. might preferably be anchored in the bulkheads so as to produce a predominance of over-al1 weight toward the hinge whereby to assure :theproper opening of the unit when launched.

The ends f each receptacle-portion ofthecraft are provided with a series of brackets 4I,.

the brackets oi one receptacle portion serving as a-holder-'for 'aA locking'sbar 43' whichI upon come plete opening'of 'the unit is adapted to bey urged into engagement :with: thefbracketsof the kother receptacle portion. to form a rigid` ylocking `means'- fr the-'twoportions of the 'craftln The binding strap I9 when' of two'sections'asI previously described; may bei readily disunited from either side and at a point within convenient arms reach of the Water:

Itis within the'contemplation of my inventionl to dispense with the locking bar feature and 'proa videI the unit vwith a separable hinge, whereby theV two receptacle portions and 1 after launchf ing, may be conveniently separated and permitted'y to drift independently of each other. In this'case; the-water barrier would also be severed to permit the-free'and independent use of v/thereceptacle portions'of the craft.' A loosely Liittinghinge bolt offers one means for realizing aseparable hinge applicable in this connection. This feature of my" invention'providesfor'a quick method of launching conventional typelife boatsin-pairs from av sinking vessel,v andmy'invention contemplates its use in that connection.

Whilel have described'one-form of my inventionasapplicable to service asfa'lifeboat, ay similar construction though probably' smaller in size" maybeutili'zed -in the dropping'of food supplies and necessary accessories to survivors at sea'.

Regardless of the-particularpurpose forwhich the craft maybe designed; it -can be 'constructed of material capable of withstanding'theshock of 1 impact when thrown from `the deck i of a' ship'. When to be launched from greater height as from moving aircraft, it is contemplated that the same may be dropped by parachute to avoid damage thereto and 'assure safe landing.

While I have disclosed a preferred embodiment of my invention, it is conceivablethat the same is subject to alteration and modification without departing from the underlying principles of the same; Automatic unlatching of the fastening means may be provided' in' lieu of :manual operation; for example, whichl could b'e4 accomplished by an electrical control made effective in response to contact with the saltwaterof the sea; Olther improvements'will no' doubt suggest themselves toi-those skilled in the-art.

I accordingly dol not desire to'be limited inmyj protection to the'specicdetails disclosed except as may be necessitated by the appended claims;

Il claim:

l. A-A collapsible self'-openingfwatercraft, .com-

pr-isinga pair of hollow receptacleportions'each" havingmside edges land end-edges,l said receptacle" These tions 39 which might include such items as water.`

portions being disposed with a side edge of one portion adjacent a side edge of the other portion, hinge means joining said receptacle portions along adjacent side edges enabling said receptacle portions to be swung on said hinge means into mating engagement along their side and end edges to -form a compact closed unit, means for opening said closed unit right-side-up when placed in water, and a water barrier coveringsaid hinge meansand .spanning .the angle formed at .Seach ,end by said end edgesduring opening of said unit and extending to above the water line existing at each end throughout the opening of said unit.

2.1A collapsible self-opening watercraft, comprising a pairof hollow receptacle portions each having side edges, said receptacle portions being disposed witha. side edge of one portion adjacent a side edge of the other portion, hinge means joining said receptacle portions and enabling` saidreceptacle yportions to beswung on said hinge ,means into mating engagement ialong their edges to form. aucompact closed unit, means.

weighting the hingedl portionof. said unit for opening4 said closed. unit right-side-up; when placed. in water, and a' water barrier spanning.

thev space. formed during opening .of said craft between said receptacle portions adjacent the .v

ends of said hinge Imeans, .said water barrier extending to above the water line existing at eachhend ofsaid hinge :means throughout the opening.y of said unit.

3.I A collapsible self-opening watercraft, comprising aipair of hollow receptacle portions each having side edges and end edges, said receptacle portions being disposed with. a side edge of one portion adjacent a side edge of the other portion,

hinge means joining said receptacle portions along adjacent side edges enabling` said receptacle-.portions to 'be swung on said hinge means into mating engagementalong their side and end edges to form a compact closed-unit, means producing a weight distribution in each of said receptacle portions predominantly oi center in the direction of said hinge means for^opening said closed'unit right-side-up when placed in water, and a water barrier spanning the angle formed .at each end by said end edges during opening of said unitand extending to above :the water line existing ateach end throughout theter in'the'direction of said hinge means for opene ingfsaid closed unit..rightsideeup when placed in' water,` anda water barrier coveringsaid. hinge means Vand spanningY the angle formed at each' endfby' said endedges during opening of said unit'and extending to above the water' lineexisting at each end throughout the opening of said' unit.

5:' A'collapsible"selfeopening watercraft, come prising `a pair of hollow receptacle portions having.v mateable edges, hinge means: joining said' receptacle" portions along adjacent side edgesV portions to be swung on said hinge means into mating engagement along their mateable edges to form a compact unit, self-contained means for opening said closed unit right-side-up when vplaced in water, and a water barrier extending between said receptacle portions during opening of said craft.

FREDERIC D. BARTON, JR. 

